GeographyGeographyProfessors—Crawford, Foster, Kirkeberg, Meihoefer, Westfall, Wilkinson
Associate Professors—Davis, Foschi, Holzman
Assistant Professor—Guo, Greene
B.A. in Geography
Minor in Geography
M.A. in Geography
M.A. in Geography: Concentration in Resource Management and Environmental Planning
The program offers a curriculum focusing on the spatial organization of environment and society and the interrelationships between the two. This includes the physical and cultural patterns and processes on the earth and human impacts on the environment.
The undergraduate major program assures a firm foundation in the discipline, an exposure to the diverse aspects of the field and the opportunity to develop individual interests. Four core courses are required of all majors. In addition, a distribution requirement consists of one upper division course each in: physical environment, human environment, regional studies, and techniques or applied geography. Three or four upper-division courses focused on a coherent theme are selected by the individual student on advisement.
The internship program supplements the regularly scheduled classes. This program offers a wide range of placements as an optional part of the major. Such experiences entail first-hand application of skills and knowledge gained in the degree program.
The Masters of Arts in Geography is broadly based rather than highly specialized, reflecting the department's interests in persons with a variety of general carreer objectives in such areas as planning, resource management or education as well as those intending to pursue doctoral studies. Opportunities exist for specialization, particularly in: physical and cultural geography, natural resources and environmental studies, regional geography, urban geography, biogeography and geographic techniques. The Master of Arts in Geography: Concentration in Resource Management and Environmental Planning is designed to provide knowledge and skills necessary to carry out resource assessment, impact analysis, plan formulation, and implementation. It is designed for those seeking advanced training in resource management and environmental planning.
The M.A. program culminates in either a master's thesis or a research project and comprehensive oral examination. The concentration in resource management and environmental planning typically culminates in a research project and comprehensive oral examination.
Research facilities available to students include Geographic Analysis, GIS/Remote Sensing and Biogeography laboratories, and a map library, as well as campus laboratories and library. The San Francisco Bay Area provides a stimulating and diversified setting for graduate work, especially for persons interested in urban, cultural, or environmental questions. Within the region a wide range of governmental agencies, academic institutions, and nonprofit and private organizations have research libraries, associated documents, and experienced personnel helpful in pursuing research topics. Internships are also sponsored in a variety of organizations.
No fellowships are available. Financial aid is limited to university programs such as work study. The department has some part-time technical staff positions and graduate assistant opportunities for graduate students in residence.
Depending on the specific curriculum each student pursues, the B.A. or M.A. in Geography provides excellent preparation for a variety of positions in the public or private sector. Graduates have gone on to work for recreational, water resource, and coastal resource and planning agencies. In recent years, there has been an increase in job opportunities for geographers. Increasing employment opportunities in environmental work and geographic techniques make geography students with appropriate skills highly marketable.
Students are advised that the CR grade is acceptable in any two courses to be counted for the geography major.
On-line course descriptions are available.
| Required Core Courses | Units | |
| GEOG 101 | Our Physical Environment | 3 |
| GEOG 102 | The Human Environment | 3 |
| GEOG 103 | Geographic Techniques | 4 |
| GEOG 690 | Proseminar in Geography | 3 |
| Total for core | 13 | |
| Distribution Requirement (Cross-listed courses originating in other departments are not accepted in these categories.) | ||
| One course from each of the following four areas: | ||
| Physical Environment 300-numbered courses in Geography |
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| Human Environment 400-numbered courses in Geography |
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| Regional Studies 500-numbered courses in Geography |
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| Either Geographic Techniques 601-639 numbered courses in Geography |
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| or Applied Geography 640-659 numbered courses in Geography |
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| Total distribution requirements | 12-15 | |
| Focus of Interest Units of upper-division geography electives consisting of a minimum of 3 courses chosen on advisement. These courses will be organized around coherent themes such as those listed below. In addition, alternative concentrations tailored to individual student interest may be developed in consultation with the Geography undergraduate coordinator. On advisement appropriate upper-division courses from other departments and programs may be included. |
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| Cultural Geography | ||
| Environmental Studies | ||
| Physical Geography | ||
| Resource Management | ||
| Techniques of Geographic Analysis | ||
| Urban Environment and Land Use Planning | ||
| Focused individual interest pursued in consultation
with the undergraduate coordinator and focus adviser |
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| Total for focus | 12 | |
| Total for major | 37-40 | |
Focus on the Cultural Environment
In addition to serving traditional liberal arts eduation, this option permits systematic study within a defined subfield: urban geography (422, 432, 433, 553), cultural geography (445, 455, 551) or a regional specialization (507, 550, 552, 570). appropriate upper-division courses in other departments are recommended to supplement these basic courses.
Focus on Environmental Studies
The focus on environmental studies is designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn about the processes that keep the environment functioning and the issues and problems that result from humans' use of the planet. GEOG 600 and 652 are required courses and GEOG 316, 422, 427, 651, 606, 620, and 647 are among those recommended.
Focus on the Physical Environment
This option offers the chance to focus on the physical environment. Landforms, climate, biogeography, soils, water and the interactions between the physical and human environmental are the foci (312, 314, 316, 317, 647). Appropriate upper-division courses in Geosciences and Biology to supplement these basic courses are recommended on advisement.
Focus on Resource Management
A central theme in geography is our relationship with the physical environment, specifically our use and abuse of natural resources. Courses central to this specialization focus on natural resource assessment, appraisal and management (425, 427, 600, 647, 648). Additional upper-division courses in Geosciences and Biology to supplement these basic courses are recommended on advisement.
Focus on Techniques of Geographic Analysis
This specialization offers a pragmatic, career-oriented option focusing on skills acquired in the geography program. The methodology includes cartography (606, 607), remote sensing and image analysis (610, 611), as well as geographical information systems (620, 621), quantitative geography (605) and field studies (602). On advisement, appropriate upper-division courses in other departments are recommended to supplement these basic courses.
Focus on Urban Environmental and Land Use Planning
This specialization in environmental and land use planning offers the student the opportunity to acquire foundation knowledge to prepare for entry level careers and graduate work. Key courses in geography include: 432, 433, 652, 655, and 658. Upper-division courses in the Urban Studies curriculum are particularly appropriate to this option.
Focused individual interests may be pursued in consultation with the Geography major adviser.
The Geography Minor consists of a core curriculum of three lower division courses plus twelve units of upper division geography electives on advisement. These courses may be organized around coherent themes such as those described for the major. However, groupings of courses specifically appropriate to majors in other departments or programs such as International Relations, Geosciences, or Urban Studies are particularly recommended.
Students are advised the CR grade is acceptable in one course to be counted for the geography minor.
| Program | Units | |
| GEOG 101 | Our Physical Environment | 3 |
| GEOG 102 | The Human Environment | 3 |
| GEOG 103 | Geographic Techniques | 4 |
| Upper division courses on advisement | 12 | |
| Total | 22 | |
Graduate Adviser: Nancy Wilkinson
For admission to the graduate program, a student must meet the general university requirements as stated in the Bulletin. For unconditional admission to the M.A. program in geography, a student must have completed an undergraduate major in geography with a minimum GPA of 3.25 in the major. An applicant with a GPA of 3.25 or better in a major other than geography may qualify for admission as a conditionally classified graduate student. The conditional status is removed upon completion of core degree courses in physical and cultural geography, and geographic techniques, plus two upper division geography courses on advisement, with a grade of "B" or better in each course. Units earned for remedial or prerequisite course work are not applied toward the graduate degree.
In addition to the general application and grade transcripts which are sent to the Graduate Admissions Office, the department requires a detailed Statement of Purpose and two letters of recommendation. Personal interviews with the graduate adviser and appropriate department faculty are recommended.
Level One: within two semesters of admission to the program, the student must satisfy the university graduate literacy requirement by submitting to the department's Graduate Literacy Committee three copies of a scholarly paper appropriate to the discipline. The committee may accept the paper or require the student to undertake remedial course work which does not appear on the GAP. Level Two: the second-level university graduate literacy requirement is met by satisfactory completion of GEOG 898 or GEOG 895.
In addition to fulfilling all university requirements, students must complete the required curriculum outlined below. All graduate seminars and all courses used on the Graduate Approved Program with the exception of 895 and 898 must be taken on a letter grade basis and have earned a B- or better. Not more than three units of Special Study (GEOG 899) and one unit of Special Study (GEOG 699) may be included on the Graduate Approved Program. Internship (688) units do not appear on the Graduate Approved Program. Each student must consult with the appropriate graduate adviser regularly and design an individual program leading towards the culminating experience requirement (thesis or research paper). For advancement to candidacy, the student must select a culminating experience committee comprised of two or three members, at least two of whom must be from the department.
On-line course descriptions are available. Upper-division courses offered by the department may be included with the approval of the graduate advisers. Depending upon a student's background and/or objective, additional courses in geography or related fields may be required on advisement.
| Program | Units | |
| GEOG 801 | Scope and Method in Geography 1 | 3 |
| GEOG 810 | Seminar in Physical Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 820 | Seminar in Cultural Geography | 3 |
| Total | 9 | |
| Graduate seminars in Geography from the following: (A seminar may be repeated for credit provided that it covers a different topic area and is offered by a different instructor) |
6-12 | |
| GEOG 815 | Seminar in Geographic Techniques | |
| GEOG 825 | Seminar in Economic Geography | |
| GEOG 832 | Seminar in Urban Geography | |
| GEOG 850 | Seminar in Regional Geography | |
| GEOG 858 | Seminar in Environmental and Land Use Planning | |
| Graduate seminars and courses or upper division courses in geography or related fields on advisement | 6-12 | |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| GEOG 895 | Research Project and Master's Comprehensive Oral Examination | |
| GEOG 898 | Master's Thesis and Oral Defense of Thesis | |
| Minimum total | 30 | |
Master's Oral Examination. A two-hour oral examination is required of all students. One hour is devoted to the research topic (GEOG 895) and a second hour focuses on a discussion of six foundation works in the discipline selected on individual advisement. The examination or either of its parts may be repeated only once. Students must have completed all course work prior to taking the oral examination which can be scheduled only during the fall and spring semesters. Examination guidelines are available from the graduate adviser.
Graduate Advisers—Guo
For admission to the graduate program, a student must meet the general university requirements as stated in the Bulletin. For unconditional admission to the M.A. program in geography, a student must have completed an undergraduate major in geography with a minimum GPA of 3.25 in the major. An applicant with a GPA of 3.25 or better in a major other than geography may qualify for admission as a conditionally classified graduate student. The conditional status is removed upon completion of core degree courses in physical and cultural geography, and geographic techniques, plus two upper division geography courses on advisement, with a grade of "B" or better in each course. Units earned for remedial or prerequisite course work are not applied toward the graduate degree.
In addition to the general application and grade transcripts which are sent to the graduate admissions office, the department requires a detailed Statement of Purpose and two letters of recommendation. Personal interviews with the graduate coordinator, the graduate adviser, and appropriate department faculty are recommended.
Level One: within two semesters of admission to the program, the student must satisfy the university graduate literacy requirement by submitting to the department's Graduate Literacy Committee three copies of a scholarly paper appropriate to the discipline. The committee may accept the paper or require the student to undertake remedial course work which does not appear on the GAP. Level Two: the second-level university graduate literacy requirement is met by satisfactory completion GEOG 895 or 898.
In addition to fulfilling all university requirements, students must complete the required curriculum outlined below. All graduate seminars and all courses used on the Graduate Approved Program with the exception of Geography 895 must be taken on a letter grade basis and have earned a B- or better. Not more than three units of Special Study (GEOG 899) and one unit of Special Study (GEOG 699) may be included on the GAP. Internship (688) units do not appear on the GAP. Each student must consult with the appropriate graduate adviser regularly and design an individual program leading towards the culminating experience requirement (thesis or research paper). For advancement to candidacy, the student must select a culminating experience committee comprised of two or three members, at least two or whom must be from the department.
On-line course descriptions are available. Upper division courses offered by the department may be included with the approval of the graduate adviser. Depending upon a student's background and/or objective, additional courses in geography or related field may be required on advisement.
| Program | Units | |
| GEOG 751 | Environmental Management | 3 |
| GEOG 801 | Scope and Method in Geography 1 | 3 |
| GEOG 810 | Seminar in Physical Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 820 | Seminar in Cultural Geography | 3 |
| Additional graduate courses selected from the following on advisement: | 3-7 | |
| BUS 857 | Ecology and Environmental Leadership | |
| GEOG 858 | Seminar in Environmental and Land Use Planning | |
| GEOG 896 | Directed Readings in Geography (1-3) | |
| PA 730 | Politics of Policy-making and Implementation (4) | |
| PA 782 | Seminar in Urban Planning and Public Decision-Making (4) | |
| Additional graduate seminars or upper division courses selected from the following, on advisement, with a minimum of one course from each category below. | 8-12 | |
| Category I: Resource Management and Environmental Planning | ||
| BIOL 529 | Plant Ecology | |
| BIOL 530 | Conservation Biology | |
| ECON 550 | Economics of Energy and the Environment | |
| GEOG 422 | Environmental Perception | |
| GEOG 427 | Agriculture and Food Supply (4) | |
| GEOG 600 | Environmental Problems and Solutions | |
| GEOG 647 | Geography of Water Resources (4) | |
| GEOG 648 | Management of National Parks and Natural Areas (4) | |
| GEOG 652 | Environmental Impact Analysis (4) | |
| GEOG 658 | Land-use Planning (4) | |
| GEOL 475 | Hydrogeology | |
| H ED 418 | Environmental Health | |
| Category II: Techniques | ||
| ANTH 491 | Archaeological Methods (4) | |
| BIOL 825 | Analytical Biogeography | |
| BIOL 845 | Ecological Methods | |
| GEOG 607 | Advanced Cartography (4) | |
| GEOG 611 | Remote Sensing of the Environment II (4) | |
| GEOG 620 | Geographical Information Systems (4) | |
| GEOG 621 | GIS in Environmental Analysis (4) | |
| GEOG 685 | Field Methods in Geography (4) | |
| GEOG 705 | Geographical Analysis | |
| GEOG 895 | Research Project and Comprehensive Oral Examination or | 3 |
| GEOG 898 | Master's Thesis and Oral Defense of Thesis | |
| Minimum total | 30 | |
Master's Oral Examination. A two-hour oral examination is required of all students. One hour is devoted to the research topic (GEOG 895) and a second hour focuses on a discussion of six foundation works in the discipline selected on individual advisement. The examination or either of its parts may be repeated only once. Students must have completed all course work prior to taking the oral examination which can be scheduled only during the Fall and Spring semesters. Examination guidelines are available from the graduate adviser.
Footnotes